The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
Putnam County
This restriction takes precedence while in effect. The rating below excludes temporary restrictions.
Mixed Data Center Policies
Putnam County has enacted a temporary six-month pause on accepting, processing, or voting on applications to build, expand, or operate data centers; it delays projects but does not permanently ban them.
Rating from Illinois statewide as there are no scored current or future laws outside temporary restrictions for Putnam County.
Specific to Putnam County only.
current law · County measureTemporarily bars Putnam County from accepting, processing, or voting on applications to develop, build, expand, or operate data centers for six months.Putnam County Florida Ordinance 2026-O-01 (2026)
What this means
The measure would pause receiving, processing, or voting on data center applications to build, expand, or operate for six months, causing a substantial delay. It is temporary, not a permanent ban (six-month moratorium).
Timing
The sources describe two different Putnam County measures. The Illinois meeting minutes specify a six-month moratorium that may be extended or rescinded by the board. The Florida article says its ban remains in place until at least 2027-08-30, so it does not establish a definite expiration date.
People behind it
- State's Attorney
Prepared the ordinance addressing both proposed moratorium items.
- Anthony Rue
Moved to approve the six-month moratorium ordinance.
- Marlee Giacometti
Seconded the motion to approve the moratorium ordinance.
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements2
Putnam County, Illinois, imposed a six-month moratorium on receiving, processing, or voting on applications to develop, construct, expand, or operate any data center. The board said it could rescind or extend the moratorium. six-month moratorium
Putnam County, Florida, temporarily barred development and construction of medium- and large-scale data centers; the ordinance took effect immediately and remains in place until at least August 30, 2027. Medium-scale projects have 2,000–5,000 servers and 5–49 megawatts of capacity; large-scale projects have capacity of 50 megawatts or more. Small-scale centers are not covered. medium- and large-scale data centers
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions2
Small-scale data centers are outside the moratorium; the article says the county’s own small technology system does not meet the thresholds of concern. doesn’t apply to small-scale data centers
While the moratorium is in effect, the county cannot amend land-use codes that would affect or regulate data centers, preserving the existing regulatory framework during that period. prohibited from amending any land use codes
Sources
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